Subplots develop at Camp Tomlin
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, August 18, 2008

Observations from coach Mike Tomlin's second training camp with the Steelers that ended Sunday afternoon at St. Vincent College:

Camp Tomlin still plenty tough:
So much for Tomlin taking it easier on his players this year at St. Vincent. Truth be told, Tomlin may have worked his players harder than he did in 2007. "We've been in pads every single day this year," running back Willie Parker said. "Last year, we weren't in pads every single day." Said linebacker Larry Foote: "We had a lot of two-a-days. That was rough."

Batch out, Leftwich in:
The Steelers were content with Charlie Batch backing up Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. Enter Byron Leftwich, who was signed to replace Batch, out with a broken collarbone. Leftwich can now make the Steelers reconsider retaining Batch, who is five years older. Leftwich has the potential to keep Roethlisberger on his toes -- not as a potential threat as a starter, but as someone who can produce when given the opportunity.

Battle of wills:
Tomlin won the battle, but Casey Hampton may have won the war. Despite Tomlin's attempt to punish the overweight Hampton by putting him on the physically unable to perform list, Hampton accepted his punishment because he understands that as the Steelers' No. 1 nose tackle, he gives them the best chance to win.

Double-secret-probation switch at cornerback:
Ike Taylor continues to play right cornerback and Deshea Townsend remains on the left in the biggest -- and least publicized -- position change this offseason. When asked about the flip-flop, which began with the AFC wild-card playoff game against Jacksonville, Townsend said Sunday: "It's just Coach's decision. It's a little different in route progressions for the guy that's covering. A lot of times when you're on the right side, you're on the single side of the receiver. When you're on the left side, you're on the strong side, a combination of tight end and receiver."

Strange situation:
It's not like the fiscally prudent Steelers to overpay a backup tackle, especially given the team's tenuous ownership situation. So why sign Max Starks as a one-year, $6.895 million transition player? Makes you wonder if management believed it could release Starks even after signing him; his contract's guaranteed for the season. Why else pay so much for someone to do so little?

Broken promise:
Four days before the start of training camp, Tomlin told reporters he had spoken with safety Troy Polamalu and "we anticipate him being ready to go." So much for the best-laid plans. Polamalu, who was granted permission to train in California during the offseason, is expected to practice for the first time Tuesday. There was nothing wrong with Polamalu being allowed to work out where he felt comfortable, but if the team had been able to monitor his situation more closely, perhaps his surprise hamstring injury wouldn't have surprised Tomlin when camp opened.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_583501.html

Galax Steeler

08-18-2008, 03:32 AM

I still say let Troy work out where he wants to even if he had been with the steelers where Tomlin could have watched him that had nothing to do with his injury.

stlrtruck

08-18-2008, 08:31 AM

I agree with letting Troy train where he wants. Who is to say that the hamstring injury wouldn't have been worse if he didn't train out there?

lilyoder6

08-18-2008, 08:37 AM

i don't see where that would hurt troy out.. i mean at least he is \working out and staying in shape unlike hampton did

fansince'76

08-18-2008, 10:02 AM

There was nothing wrong with Polamalu being allowed to work out where he felt comfortable, but if the team had been able to monitor his situation more closely, perhaps his surprise hamstring injury wouldn't have surprised Tomlin when camp opened.

How about last year when he trained with the team and got hurt anyway?

OneForTheToe

08-18-2008, 10:59 AM

I must say the that I think John Harris is the densest writer in Pittsburgh. And that is quite an accomplishment given some of his competition. His sayings don't even make sense. Tomlin won the battle but Hampton won the war? Huh? How exactly did Casey beat Tomlin? This guy just recycles "facts" and cliches until he comes up with a few hundred words.

HometownGal

08-18-2008, 11:11 AM

Tomlin isn't letting up on his players and is making them earn their roster spots. I was on the way home from the Pirates game and dinner afterwards last night around 6:20 PM and passed by the South Side facility. I noticed the 2 security guards at the gate which means the Steelers are practicing on the field and no one other than players and coaches are permitted past the gate. Sure enough, there was Camp Tomlin - moved to the South Side. :tt02:

El-Gonzo Jackson

08-18-2008, 11:47 AM

I must say the that I think John Harris is the densest writer in Pittsburgh. And that is quite an accomplishment given some of his competition. His sayings don't even make sense. Tomlin won the battle but Hampton won the war? Huh? How exactly did Casey beat Tomlin? This guy just recycles "facts" and cliches until he comes up with a few hundred words.

I agree. Most of what I read from Harris is something that tries to stir up some reaction from the most mundane things.

Like- the fact that Taylor and Towsend have switched sides on the field?? Troy training with or without the team in the offseason?? At least he WAS training unlike the BIG Snack !!

I do agree however that the Starks signing was a squandering of $6.9 Mil. Its like me spending $4000 on a painting of Jack Lambert to hang on the wall instead of taking the family to Hawaii on a vacation.

DACEB

08-18-2008, 12:19 PM

I do agree however that the Starks signing was a squandering of $6.9 Mil. Its like me spending $4000 on a painting of Jack Lambert to hang on the wall instead of taking the family to Hawaii on a vacation.